'DR. GODDESS' PRESCRIBES RACIAL, GENDER
EMPOWERMENT TO UH CLASS
New Visiting Scholar and Performer Gives Students
Unique View of African American Perspectives
(HOUSTON, March 14, 2005)—She came from the Hill, an urban
neighborhood in Pittsburgh and climbed the scholastic ladder to
the rank of professor. Now Kimberly C. Ellis would like people to
meet “Dr. Goddess.”
“I talk about race, class, gender and sexuality within the
framework of American history and popular culture, in an enlightening
and fun manner,” said Ellis of her one-woman, multi-media
variety show, “Dr. Goddess!” an excerpt of which she
will debut to Houston audiences at 5:30 p.m., Monday, March 28,
at the University of
Houston-Downtown.
Ellis, a choreographer, dancer and actress, is a Visiting Scholar
in the University of Houston African American Studies program. Her
class on Africana Thought and Philosophy makes use of film, literature,
hip-hop music, art and comedy. Students dissect scenes from Eddie
Murphy’s comedy movie, “Raw,” music from artists
such as Nas, X-Clan and Queen Latifah, and film clips from Steven
Spielberg’s “The Color Purple.” Ellis guides them
through the language, images and lyrics to form perspectives about
African American culture. She’s hopeful her show will challenge
stereotypes and break down barriers.
“I offer no simple solutions around women’s empowerment,
racial uplift, community responsibility and the heavy load of citizenship,”
she said. “I do want to spark discussion.” In her show,
Ellis transforms into 15 different characters, including a grade
school girl, a Southern white woman poet and a black man trying
to be a good father.
Ellis comes to UH from the University of Pittsburgh where she taught
courses in African American History, Theater and Poetry. One of
her research specialties deals with the westward migration of African
Americans during the late 19th and early 20th centuries. She also
focuses on the role of the African American cowgirl. Ellis challenges
her students and audiences to literally and figuratively broaden
their horizons about the Black West.
“This is not just a story of where we fit into the narrative
of the Western frontier as portrayed in John Wayne films,”
said Ellis. “It is a story of how Africana people sought to
escape the persecution of the black codes, white racial violence,
land loss and disenfranchisement in order to build a better world
for themselves and all humanity.” Ellis plans to continue
her research on black cowgirls in Texas, Oklahoma, Arizona and California.
For more information on UH African American Studies program,
please visit www.class.uh.edu/aas/home.asp
About the University of Houston
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and teaching institution, is home to more than 40 research centers
and institutes and sponsors more than 300 partnerships with corporate,
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in the country, stands at the forefront of education, research and
service with more than 35,000 students.
For more information about UH visit the universitys Newsroom at www.uh.edu/admin/media/newsroom.
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